HELLO MAQNOLIAS!

I'm being a Mega-Slacker and starting my fourth of July weekend early!

HAVE A GOOD SAFE 4th MAQNOLIAS!

Bonjour!

BONJOUR! 

Hello Readers, I know you missed me something awful last week, but I'm back now! Today I wanted to share with you some Fantastic Frenchie Finds from Anthropologie! 

Their New China Patterns are Perfection! 

For the walls: 

Yes, that is wallpaper, sick- i know! 

Gorgeous, but for the rich & famous, it's way out of my budget! 

I love this canister, its soooo cute! Or this chic book for a coffee table, both good choices! 

oooooooohhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhh! 

Last for your wardrobe, stay chic!

All of these great finds are available at Anthropologie, just search the word paris or french and open your computer to a world of style! 

merci beaucoup!

A.

The Ultimate Summer Playlist.

Hello Maqnolias!

We all have songs that take us back to a particular moment in time. The song that was playing when you got your first kiss, (Britney Spears- From the Bottom of my Broken Heart...yeah yeah terrible I know) the song you had on repeat that one summer, the song you blared when you went through a break-up.

The summer is the most crucial time to have an awesome playlist. Almost every summer activity you do is better with music, laying out, boating, playing on the beach, etc. Having a variety of new/old, Rock, Hip-Hop, country, oldies, alternative, and pop will make your playlist the ideal playlist for any occasion. So a year or so from now when you here these songs on "ThrowBack Thursdays" it will remind you of the most unforgettable summer ever...2010.

Summer 2010 Songs you won't be able to escape.

Tik Tok- Ke$ha

California Girls- Katy Perry

OMG- Usher

Airplanes- B.o.B. (feat. Hayley Williams)

Alejandro- Lady GaGa

Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus

New Fun Summer Songs!

Fashion- Lady Gaga

Beautiful, dirty rich- Lady Gaga

Real Life- The Tanlines

Bang Pop- Free Energy

Two Points for Honesty- Guster

SleepyHead- Passion Pit

Little Secrets- Passion Pit

Daylight- Matt and Kim

Drop it Low- Ester Dean & Chris Brown

Always Delicious Summer Artists.

Bob Marley

Van Morrison

Kenny Chesney

Akon

Bob Dylan

Shaggy

Eric Hutchinson

Jack Johnson

Ben Harper

Harry Belafonte

I hope some of these songs help with creating your ultimate summer playlist!

XOXO

Q

Perfect Carry-On

Summer Travels Made Simple

During the summer, a lot of people use the good weather and children's time off of school to plan their vacations. Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile, my new little find might be just the thing to lighten the load in your suit case, especially if you're planning on passing through any security check-points!

As I was reading the July 2010 issue of In Style magazine, I came across a nifty little website that caught my attention. It was in an article about making your travel experience as easy as possible. If you have ever flown on an airplane, especially in the last several years, you know how strict airline security has become. A person can barely enter a terminal without a full body search/scan and that's not even getting into the crazy restrictions that airlines now have on luggage. The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, has literally laid down the law as far as restrictions on all of your allowed luggage. However, the point I am focusing on is the restrictions on liquids in your carry-on's!
For all of us who like to bring our own products along on trips, then this site is for you.

http://www.3floz.com/default.aspx

3floz offers beloved beauty, skin, and hair care products in perfect TSA approved travel sizes. No more worries with checking luggage just so you can pack your full size bottles of product and NO MORE decanting your fav products into little travel bottles. Purchase the products online and have them shipped to the hotel at your travel destination or to your home. I'm telling you though, this is a great website! So smart and perfect for the beauty queen and king jetsetters!peace out,

M.

Whatever Friday 6/17

M.

For me, summer living is supposed to be light, easy, and carefree. It's so hot in the summer that we all just want to relax and not worry with things, especially fixing a lunch when you're a girl or guy on the run. This past week I was introduced to a low-carb meal that you can grab in a jiff. I had previously heard about "low-carb burgers" but never thought I could find one...a good one...in Alma. Well, I was wrong!




Tuesday I tried my first Low-Carb Thickburger from Hardees! It was delicious! It's your basic thickburger sans bready bun. The burger and "fixins" come packaged in a lettuce wrap. Now don't think this is exactly and low-calorie option because it does come with the traditional condiments like ketchup and cheese, etc. which could of course be ditched and it would still be delish.






It was hearty and filling and I didn't even crave a french-fry! Yay! I recommend you all try one because I am a fan. Let me know what y'all think!

http://www.hardees.com/

Happy Weekend Friends!

peace out,

M.

Showcase Thursday- June 17

Every Thursday of our weekly blog we present a showcase. The showcase is of a particular someone or company that is playing an active part in the world of art, fashion, and all around creativity. We hope that this segment of our blog serves as a platform for some of the people and businesses we find interesting.

We want to show off people who are making lasting footprints in our fascinating little world.

What is BIG CARTEL? 

 Finally, a shop for the little guy.

Big Cartel is where artists set up shop. We provide clothing designers, bands, jewelry makers, crafters, and other artists with their own customizable store to sell their stuff online.

SO EASY

1. START UP 

Use your store admin to setup your store, add your products, and customize your design.

2.SELL OUT

When orders come in, the money and order info are sent directly to your PayPal account.

3. SHIP IT

You package up your products and ship them off to your eagerly awaiting customer.

Click here to learn more about setting up your on E-Store

Examples, of some Favorite Big Cartel Stores: 

http://shop.boompa.ca/

http://merch.hypem.com/

http://www.ligatureloopandstem.com/

IF you are an artist, designer, band, or lover of making, try

big cartel

click here to learn about pricing & where to sign up

BE SURE TO WATCH THE BUZZ VIDEOS! 

Beat the Summer Heat! Vol. 3- Health and Fitness

Hello Maqnolias! Welcome to the final instalment of Beat the Summer Heat! I have already given you helpful tips on how to stay looking pretty and fresh during these humid, unbearable months, by suggesting new simple humid ready hair styles and makeup that won't drip and make you look like the crypt keeper. Today is all about health and fitness. If you are like me "summer" snuck up mighty quick this year. After about 2 weeks of Spring it's all of a sudden bikini weather. I don't know about you but I was nowhere near ready for bikini season.

If you think it's to late to start working on your fitness, you're wrong. It's never to late to start getting healthy and in shape.

The past two weeks I have been working my behind off trying new types of workouts for "real" people. None of that loose 10 pounds in a week junk, because we all know even if it does work it's not a diet you can stick to and keep the ol' LB's off.

During this heat I highly recommend joining a gym if you are not already a member. The air condition alone is worth the $35 a month you would pay. Gyms also offer a variety of classes to suit your work out plan. You can also get professional advice on what is the best work out for you.

I know times are hard and a gym membership may not be in your budget. If this is your situation I suggest purchasing a variety of work out videos (yoga, toning, Abs/Buns of steal) and work out from home. Going for a late afternoon jog is a good cardio workout when the sun begins to set taking the heat with it.

Here are three alternates I have tried these past few weeks and can really feel the burn. It's not your average treadmill, ab blaster, it's different work outs that work different muscles in your body.

Swimming- ...and not just for fun in the pool. This week I swam two miles in an Olympic sized pool, and all I can say is..What a work out! I never thought I would be so worn out from swimming. Swimming takes all of the muscles in your body working together so you get a great all over work out. Plus you stay cool.

Cycling- I have known people who lost a lot of weight and when I asked "how did you do it?" they say cycling. I have never cylced before, ride a bike for fun, yes, but never the hardcore stuff. Cycling is with out a doubt the best way to tighten up your thighs and buns. It's a great substitute for cardio when you don't feel like running.

TRX- is a class that my gym offers. It is an extension class that works muscles you never thought you had. It's not high speed cardio but will get your heart pumping. It stretches your muscles so you can get that long/lean look.

I know it may look intense but it's like it is with any exercise..pace yourself. It's your workout, make it fit your body's needs. After all your hard work your body will naturally not want all those fatty foods that are bad for you and before you know it you will be feeling fabulous in your bikini.

Good Luck Maqnolias! Stay Hydrated!

XOXO

Q

Just Peachy!

Check out new treasury on Etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c17ebee08908eef3dd21a5e/just-peachy#4c17ec3908908eeff5e51a5e

Some of the items include:

MOROCCANOIL

So today, when I was visiting with the lovely hairdressers of  Zach & Isabelle Salon,  Zach informed of the hot new hair product for the Summer. 

Hello, Moroccan Oil! 

 A powerful antioxidant and UV protector, MOROCCANOIL's proprietary Argan oil blend is rich in vitamins and natural elements that fortify the hair, including Vitamin F (Omega 6), Vitamin A to improve elasticity, Vitamin E to protect against free-radicals, and Phenols to shield against environmental stressors. 

Click here to learn about their products & where to buy them: 

http://www.moroccanoil.com/

Check out this Video: 

Also, a little birdie told me that Zach & Isabelle Salon will be carrying their line soon!  If you haven't been there yet, GO!  Zach is super talented, and Alison, my stylist is off the chain, too!  This salon is a breath of fresh air for South Georgia!

Zach & Isabelle Salon 

138 Central Avenue West Blackshear, GA 31516-2206 - (912) 449-8266

Whatever Friday 6/11

TOP Three Must Have RIGHT NOW Home Decor:

1. Vintage Style Suitcases, these available at Target

2. Dwell, PEACOCK CITRINE DUVET SET (saw it on design sponge & i died) 

3. Wallpaper Silhouettes by ROMP

Enjoy your weekend! 
A.

__________________________________________________

Showcase Thursday- June 10

Every Thursday of our weekly blog we present a showcase. The showcase is of a particular someone or company that is playing an active part in the world of art, fashion, and all around creativity. We hope that this segment of our blog serves as a platform for some of the people and businesses we find interesting.

We want to show off people who are making lasting footprints in our fascinating little world.

Meet Bess Gaby

Artist, Printmaker, & Southern Belle

Bess Gaby might have been born a Southern Belle in Macon, Georgia, but this rabble-rouser has a hard time living in one place too long--she wants to see the world!  She's traveled across Spain, Kenya, and Italy, but her next adventure is the good ole' USA.  With only the most necessary possessions (Designer clothes, shoes, and Ferragamo--cat), she will make her way to a place that's Always Sunny---Philadelphia.  Jobless but not homeless, she is determined to work her way up in the world, preferably a job where she can travel and be inspired to create.  

Her Process: 

By deconstructing the printed image, I am able to focus on the non-traditional practices of printmaking. I use papers of various structural integrities to describe form and activate a three-dimensional space. My painterly approach to applying ink to paper led me to investigate how ink and solvents combine to interact with paper. This work has encouraged me to explore paper as a sculptural medium.

Let's Get Inside the Mind of Ms. Gaby

Love or Money? 

Love....love is fun!  Well, to me there are two kinds of love.  A kind where you have so much love, your love reaches out to others and creates more love, then that love multiplies again, and again, and ultimately there is just so much love that you're featured in a magazine, and suddenly whatever you're doing at that moment, makes a TON of money!   The other type implies that you just love one another so much, that you have a small ranch in Montana or something and spend the rest of your lives talking about growing old together.  Both sound nice to me.  

If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real or fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?

Hmmmm....Two of my guests will have recently passed, J.D. Salinger and Michael Jackson, because I wonder if one was a fan of the other.  Or if MJ had ever even read Catcher in the Rye, who knows?  I'm also thinking they had some issues in common that would be interesting to talk about.  My third would be Walt Disney....why not!  I wanted to be an animator when I was little....that was before art went digital --pffh! 

Any hidden talents? 

 I can catch a fish with my bare hands.  Honest to God.

Last song played on your ipod?

"Bulletproof" by Major Lazer and La Roux.  Go to this link and you can download their whole album for free!! Lazer Proof

If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be & why?

I would be a Narwhal.  Because they do exist, we just don't know that much about them! 

What is the funniest word you have ever heard?

Funniest word?! Cahoots...not only is it a weird word but why would you ever use it in a phrase like, "we're in CAHOOTS."  As a matter of fact, I try to use it whenever I can! When I'm trying to be really sneaky, you know...when I want to see that funny look on a person's face like, "whaaaat??" Who decided to put that word together anyways? And how did it survive so long to actually put it in the dictionary?? Funny.  

If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to? 

I am always thinking up cool names, but I have never really wanted one for myself because I like my name, Bess.  

But I don't care too much for my last name because no one ever pronounces it right,  so I would probably change my last name Vega...or something else Spanish and sexy. Bess Vega....or Bess Romero....or Bess Montez, haha. I have spanish decent but I've been told my last name, Gaby, is Dutch.  Yes, I would like a hot Spanish name so I could date Javier Bardem or Antonio Banderes.  

To View Her Full Portfolio Visit: 

http://bgaby.otherpeoplespixels.com/home.html

Also if you are in Athens this weekend, be sure to stop by her YART SALE! (Yard & Art), learn more Here: 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131155703578241&ref=mf

Best of Luck in Philly! 

A.  

By deconstructing the printed image, I am able to focus on the non-traditional practices of printmaking.
I use papers of various structural integrities to describe form and activate a three-dimensional space. My painterly approach to applying ink to paper led me to investigate how ink and solvents combine to interact with paper. This work has encouraged me to explore paper as a sculptural medium.

Beat the Summer Heat! Vol. 2 MakeUp!

Hello Maqnolias!!

Last week I gave you several summer hair options that will keep you looking fresh and flirty!

This week it's all about the face. Just because you feel like being low maintenance doesn't mean you have to look it. Applying makeup during the summer can be a challenge. No one wants melting makeup, sliding mascara or creasy clumps. Here are a few helpful hints to stay looking naturally fresh and pretty even when the weather is working against you.

Swap your thick foundation for a tinted moisturizer! Thicker foundations are wearable in the winter but in the summer it's asking to look like a melting birthday cake...the kind with the thick icing! Yuck!

Most tinted moisturisers contain SPF which is an added bonus.

I use Neutrogenas Healthy Defense Tinted Moisturizer, it's around $10 and will last you all summer long!

Powdered Bronzer!

Ok girls we all know during the summer Bronzer is a girls best friend. But remember Bronze Believably! To keep it looking natural just bronze the high points of your face where the sun naturally hits, forehead, cheekbones, chin and nose. Covering everything will give a fake, baked look.

Earlier I stated to stay away from thick heavy foundations. But what if you have a blemish, marks, or dark circles under your eyes that the moisturizer just isn't covering? A few years ago I was introduced to this life saver. Maybeline's Dream Matte Mousse is an air soft whipped mousse that leaves you with perfect matte finish coverage with a weightless feel. It's easy to find and only costs $8.79.

Blotting Papers.

Nothing says "I'm Hot" like a slick t-zone...and not in a sexy way. Melting makeup is bound to happen to the best of us at some point during the summer. Blotting papers can help reduce oily shine.

Ditch the lipstick.

Dark heavy lips are overkill once the weather warms up. Stick to clear or tinted lip balms and chap sticks.

Avoid using eye creams on your lids, try using an eye primer instead. It will minimize creasing and create a base for the shadow to cling so it lasts longer.

Waterproof mascara is a must during the summer. You don't want to look like the crypt keeper. If you are iffy about giving up the mascara you have been using for forever, check to see if you can get it waterproof. Many brands make a waterproof version of each of their mascaras.

I hope these tips help! Good Luck Maqnolias!

XOXO

Q